Intel Expands CablePort Technology with Major Software Developers and Financial Institutions

Strategic Insights -

Intel Corporation has added six leading software developers and one major bank to its roster of software applications being developed for its CablePort technology, which brings high speed multimedia-rich interactive services to personal computers in the home via cable. These new partners, including Intuit, Netscape Communications Corporation, TEAM Software, Wells Fargo Bank, Computer Curriculum Corporation, and Ingenius, aim to meet the needs of the electronic commerce market and education for in-home learning. The announcement marks a significant milestone in Intel's vision for the PC as the interactive appliance in the home, building on its previous partnerships with major cable operators and content providers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Intel has secured agreements with six leading software developers, including Intuit, Netscape Communications Corporation, and TEAM Software, to port their applications to the CablePort technology.
  • Wells Fargo Bank has joined the roster of financial institutions partnering with Intel for electronic commerce services, along with other major banks.
  • Computer Curriculum Corporation and Ingenius have signed agreements to port their educational applications to the CablePort technology for in-home learning.
  • eShop Inc. will use its interactive shopping system to demonstrate Tower Records' first broadband home, music, and video store at the Western Cable Show and Intel's future CablePort technology trials.
  • The combination of cable's high speed and home personal computers' interactive power, enabled by Pentium processors, makes it possible to deliver high-quality multimedia services over cable.
  • America Online and Prodigy are already working with Intel to provide multimedia applications to the home PC over cable, participating in trials with Comcast Cable and Viacom Cable.
  • Hybrid Networks Inc. is providing the cable PC networking technology and support for these trials.
  • Intel has also signed memorandums of understanding with Rogers Cablesystems Limited and Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) to bring interactive online services to the home PC.

Statistics:

  • Up to 1,000 times faster data speed available through cable compared to a standard telephone modem.
  • Nearly 59 percent of home PCs have telephone modems, and 42 percent have CD-ROM players, meeting the need for consumers to be both online and interactive.
  • 12 content providers have already signed agreements with Intel to bring interactivity to the home PC via cable.
  • 4 major cable operators have partnered with Intel to bring interactive on-line services to the home PC.

Sources:

  • Intel Corporation, Business Wire, "Intel Adds Six Leading Software Developers to its CablePort Technology," November 21, 1994.
  • Computer Intelligence InfoCorp, Trendata.
  • America Online.
  • Hybrid Networks Inc.
  • Intel Corporation, Santa Clara.
  • John Raftrey, Intel Corporation, 408/765-6007.